Stackable power outlet box

Abstract

A power outlet box is disclosed. The power outlet box includes a housing having a drum disposed therein, the drum being rotatable relative to the housing. The power outlet box includes a power cord windable about the drum, the power cord being extendable or retractable through an opening in the housing based on a direction of rotation of the drum. The power outlet box includes at least one power outlet externally fixed on the housing and electrically coupled to the power cord. The at least one power outlet remains electrically connected to the drum as the drum rotates relative to the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power outlet box, comprising:
 a housing having a drum disposed therein, the drum being configured to rotate relative to the housing;   a power cord windable about the drum, the power cord being configured to extend or retract through an opening in the housing based on a direction of rotation of the drum; and   at least one power outlet externally fixed on the housing and electrically coupled to the power cord, the at least one power outlet being configured to remain electrically connected to the drum as the drum rotates relative to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The power outlet box of  claim 1 , wherein the power cord is configured to extend as the drum rotates in a first direction, and wherein the power cord is configured to retract as the drum rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The power outlet box of  claim 1 , wherein the power cord comprises a plug at a first end of the power cord. 
     
     
         4 . The power outlet box of  claim 3 , wherein the power cord is electrically coupled to the at least one power outlet at a second end of the power cord, the second end of the power cord being opposite the first end of the power cord. 
     
     
         5 . The power outlet box of  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the power cord is physically coupled to the drum. 
     
     
         6 . The power outlet box of  claim 5 , wherein the power cord comprises a stopper circumferentially disposed around the power cord, the stopper being configured to prevent the second end from uncoupling from the drum as the drum rotates. 
     
     
         7 . The power outlet box of  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises a plug recess formed on an external surface thereof, the plug recess being configured to receive and store the plug of the power cord. 
     
     
         8 . The power outlet box of  claim 1 , further comprising a winding handle disposed on an external surface of the housing and operably coupled to the drum for rotating the drum. 
     
     
         9 . The power outlet box of  claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises a handle recess formed on an external surface thereof, the handle recess being configured to receive and store the winding handle. 
     
     
         10 . The power outlet box of  claim 9 , wherein the winding handle is configured to be flush with the external surface of the housing when stored in the handle recess. 
     
     
         11 . The power outlet box of  claim 8 , wherein the power outlet box is configured to stack with a second box such that the external surface is parallel to an adjacent surface of the second box. 
     
     
         12 . The power outlet box of  claim 8 , wherein the drum is configured to rotate in a same direction as the winding handle. 
     
     
         13 . The power outlet box of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power outlet comprises at least one of an Alternating Current (AC) outlet or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet. 
     
     
         14 . A power outlet box, comprising:
 a housing having an internal cavity at least partially enclosed by a plurality of walls;   a drum disposed within the internal cavity, the drum having an axis of rotation that intersects with a first wall and a second wall of the plurality of walls, the second wall being opposite the first wall; and   at least one power outlet electrically coupled to a power cord windable about the drum, the at least one power outlet being externally fixed to one wall of the plurality of walls.   
     
     
         15 . The power outlet box of  claim 14 , wherein the one wall is a third wall of the plurality of walls, the third wall being perpendicular to the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         16 . The power outlet box of  claim 15 , further comprising an opening through which the power cord is configured to extend. 
     
     
         17 . The power outlet box of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is disposed on a fourth wall of the plurality of walls, the fourth wall being opposite the third wall. 
     
     
         18 . The power outlet box of  claim 14 , further comprising a winding handle operably coupled to the drum for rotating the drum, the winding handle being rotatably disposed on one of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         19 . The power outlet box of  claim 18 , wherein the winding handle shares the axis of rotation of the drum. 
     
     
         20 . A power outlet box, comprising:
 a drum disposed within a housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; and   at least one power outlet externally fixed on the housing, the at least one power outlet being electrically coupled to a power cord windable around the drum, wherein the at least one power outlet is configured to remain stationary as the drum rotates.